Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-02-07
SHOT HIS FATHER.IN.LAW.
James A. Clark shoots Eli Hart Down
i'm the Street.

TRAGIC ENDING OF A FAMILY DIFF1CULTY-HART
TURNS HIS son -IN-LAw ADRIFT, AND CLARK RE-
sPoNDS BY FIRING FIVE SHOTS AT THE OLD MAN.
Ell Hart, a brtcklayer, residing on street, be-
tween 10th and Goth streets northwest, was shot
through the body and fatally wounded about BIS
Clark. Clark Is proof-reader, and about 30 years
OF age. Hart, who is % years old, has been work.
ing at his trade in Charleston, SC, since the
earthquake, and returned TO the city last Friday,
having been summoned home On account OF the
illness OF his wife. When he returned he found
that his daughter, Mrs. Clark, was also sick, and
he was informed that her husband was not treat
Ing her properly Clark, IL is stated, had taken to
drinking since Harris departure for the SOUTH
Finding his daughter in an almost helpless con-
dtion, he had her removed to the Garfield hos
pital, where she is now confined to her room.
CLARK AND HART MEET.
Last night Clark called to see his father-in-law
and together they walked to a little confectionery
store at No. 21.13 Pennsylvania avenue which Mrs
Clark had been keeping. In the rear of the store
Clark and his wife slept. Hart and his Son-in-law
stood for while talking in front OF the store and
then OF them rang the door bell at the adiOin-
Ing house. Leaving the door OF this house. they
walked To the front OF the store and again began
cOnversing. AT the corner OF 22d street. on the
opposite side OF the Avenue, stood Policemen Keefe
and Hurd- They noticed Hart and his SOn-in-faw
talking, but could not hear what they said. After
talking for some minutes, it appears that Clark
wanted 10 enter the confectionery store where he
had been sleeping; but the old man objected, and
was heard TO say: II tell you that you can
not enter this house tonight. You have lived
on my daughter and myself long enough, and you
can now shift for yourself" The old man turned
from his SoIl-ln-law and started towards 2lst
street.
HE FIRED FIVE SHOTS.
He had gone but a few steps when the report OF a
pistol shot attracted the attention of the officers
Looking towards the little store they saw Clark
fire four more shots at his father-in-law who was
making towards 22d street. After the fifth shot
had been fired the old man fell to the ground NOR
tally wounded. Clark turned and attempted to
escape 10y running towards d street, but the Off
GERS overlook and arrested him. When Officer
keefe took the smoking revolver from his hand
Clark SAID: 'fhat'S right; arrest me- He refused
10 say anything about the shooting. or tell what
his motive was The weapon used was a British
bulldog revolver, A caliber. The wounded man
was carried across the avenue to Duckett's drug
store ami was afterwards removed to Providence
hospital by the police.
COMMITTED TO JAIL
This morning, in the Police Court, Clark was
charged with assault and battery with intent to
Kill, and he was committed to Jail without bail.
A STATEMENT BY THE PRISONER
The prisoner, who is employed at the Office of
the National Tribune, said to STAR reporter this
morning that reports circulated about him to the
effect that he had illtreated his wife did him great
injustice, as he had never said harsh word to
her since their marriage. about year ago. He
denied the statement that he did not support his
wife, and said she was sent to the hospital Satur-
day at his expense; that yesterday evening he
visited her at the hospital and got the pistol at
home after he returned. As far as the shooting
was concerned, he said. his mind was in q chaotic
state and he was positively insane at the time.
After the occurrence he knew that something terri
bic had occurred, but did not know what it was.
He seemed very anxious about his father-in-law's
condition, and several times asked about him He
said he had had trouble ON his mind for some
time, and that, with the whisky he had drank,
made him wholly Irresponsible for what he had
done.